Can Ozempic Be Used To Treat Addiction?

Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, has been regularly used throughout the medical community since it was first approved in 2017.

Although it’s a newer prescription medication, it’s already one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, with several million people taking it each year.

Celebrities and medical practitioners have been endorsing Ozempic as a weight-loss drug, but that was not its original intended use. It’s now sparking further interest as a substance use disorder treatment.

While weight loss is an off-label use of Ozempic, the FDA approved Wegovy, a higher-dose formulation of semaglutide, for chronic weight management in 2021. A related drug, tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), has since received similar approvals and is also being studied for addiction applications.

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic, first created as a Type 2 diabetes drug, is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP) receptor agonist with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as a medicine for glycemic control and cardiovascular health.

Shortly after debuting on the medical market, Ozempic began to be hailed as an effective weight-loss medication for people experiencing obesity or uncontrollable weight gain.

Weight loss is Ozempic’s most common off-label use, and people who take the drug for this use report that it has noticeably curbed their appetite.

As more people began taking Ozempic, healthcare workers noticed an increase in reports of patients consuming not only less food but also less alcohol and nicotine, and even engaging less frequently in behavioral addictions like compulsive shopping.

Ozempic As A Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Recent client testimonials are documenting curbed addictive behaviors after taking Ozempic, but what does it mean for the future of semaglutide as a treatment for substance use disorder?

Research has advanced significantly since early animal studies. A 2024 study published in JCI Insight found that semaglutide was associated with reduced alcohol consumption in people with alcohol use disorder.

A large-scale study published in Nature Communications in 2024 analyzed insurance records of over 800,000 patients and found that those taking GLP-1 receptor agonists had significantly lower rates of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to those taking other diabetes medications. Several randomized controlled trials are now actively enrolling participants.

More evidence is showing that GLP-1 receptors are involved in the neurobiology of addiction, and GLP agonists directly influence the brain’s dopamine reward center to reduce cravings.

Further testing is necessary to confirm these studies, but many researchers are speaking positively about the future of semaglutide as a substance use disorder medication.

Does Ozempic Have Potential As A Depression Treatment?

In addition to studies being conducted on the potential use of Ozempic for addiction treatment, researchers are also looking into it as a depression treatment.

Research into semaglutide’s effects on depression and neuropsychiatric conditions is ongoing. A 2024 observational study found lower rates of depression diagnoses among GLP-1 users, though researchers caution that controlled trials are needed to establish causation. The FDA added a note in 2023 requiring monitoring of mood changes in patients taking GLP-1 medications.

Additional studies are being done to test semaglutide’s efficacy in treating Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, strokes, heart disease, and liver disease.

Potential Risks And Side Effects

Like any other medication, Ozempic comes with some potential risk factors and side effects that range from mildly unpleasant to harmful.

If you experience any of these while taking Ozempic, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Common side effects of Ozempic include:

• nausea
• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• constipation
• vomiting

Rarer side effects include:

• changes in vision
• low blood sugar or blood pressure
• kidney problems
• gallbladder problems
• pancreatitis

The FDA investigated reports of suicidal ideation in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists in 2023. While a causal relationship was not established, anyone experiencing changes in mood, depression, or thoughts of self-harm while taking semaglutide should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Although the potential of Ozempic for addiction treatment seems promising, it is not yet approved for this use. It’s important only to take Ozempic as prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Addiction Treatment Options Similar To Ozempic

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is not a new form of treatment in drug and alcohol rehab programs. Several effective pharmaceuticals are available that support individuals in recovery.

These medicines are primarily used to help people recovering from alcohol or opioid use disorder. There are not yet medications for treating addictions to stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabis, or similar substances.

MAT options include:

• buprenorphine
• naltrexone
• methadone
• disulfiram
• acamprosate

Disulfiram works by causing an unpleasant physical reaction if alcohol is consumed, acting as a deterrent. Acamprosate helps maintain abstinence by stabilizing the brain’s chemical balance disrupted by long-term alcohol use, reducing withdrawal-related discomfort and cravings.

Buprenorphine, naltrexone, and methadone are common opioid use disorder treatments. They function by interacting with the brain’s opioid receptors to imitate and block the effects of stronger opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers.

These medications are generally considered safe and effective treatments, but they come with their own risks and side effects, particularly when misused.

Since there are only a few substance use disorders treated by existing MAT options, Ozempic has the potential to revolutionize addiction recovery methods.

Get Help For A Substance Use Disorder

If you or someone you love is battling drug addiction or alcohol use disorder, you are not alone. Contact AddictionResource.net today to learn about your recovery options.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff